Christmas comes to the White House 2012

December 9, 2012 11:13 AM

Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

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The official White House Christmas Tree is delivered to the White House on November 23, 2012 in Washington, DC. The tree is a 19-foot Fraser Fir from Peak Farms in North Carolina, which is owned by Rusty and Beau Estes. less

The official White House Christmas Tree is delivered to the White House on November 23, 2012 in Washington, DC. The tree is a 19-foot Fraser Fir from Peak Farms in North Carolina, which is owned by Rusty and ... more

Photo: Brendan Hoffman, Getty Images

The official White House Christmas Tree is delivered to the White... Photo-3866347.53651 - Houston Chronicle

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The official White House Christmas Tree is delivered to the White House on November 23, 2012 in Washington, DC. The tree is a 19-foot Fraser Fir from Peak Farms in North Carolina, which is owned by Rusty and Beau Estes. less

The official White House Christmas Tree is delivered to the White House on November 23, 2012 in Washington, DC. The tree is a 19-foot Fraser Fir from Peak Farms in North Carolina, which is owned by Rusty and ... more

Photo: Brendan Hoffman, Getty Images

The official White House Christmas Tree is delivered to the White... Photo-3866451.53651 - Houston Chronicle

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First lady Michelle Obama (R) and her daughter Malia Obama (2nd L) are presented with the official White House Christmas Tree on November 23, 2012 in Washington, DC. The tree is a 19-foot Fraser Fir from Peak Farms in North Carolina, which is owned by Rusty and Beau Estes. less

First lady Michelle Obama (R) and her daughter Malia Obama (2nd L) are presented with the official White House Christmas Tree on November 23, 2012 in Washington, DC. The tree is a 19-foot Fraser Fir from Peak ... more

First lady Michelle Obama, with daughters Sasha and Malia, left, and first dog Bo, walk on the North Portico of the White House in Washington, Friday, Nov. 23, 2012, where they received the official White House Christmas tree, a 19-foot Fraser Fir from Jefferson, N.C. (Manuel Balce Ceneta / AP Photo) less

First lady Michelle Obama, with daughters Sasha and Malia, left, and first dog Bo, walk on the North Portico of the White House in Washington, Friday, Nov. 23, 2012, where they received the official White House ... more

US First Lady Michelle Obama (R) and her daughters Malia (C) and Sasha (L) arrive with dog Bo to receive the White House Christmas tree in Washington on November 23, 2012. (Nicholas Kammnicholas / Getty Images)

US First Lady Michelle Obama (R) and her daughters Malia (C) and Sasha (L) arrive with dog Bo to receive the White House Christmas tree in Washington on November 23, 2012. (Nicholas Kammnicholas / Getty Images)

First lady Michelle Obama leans down to smell the official White House Christmas Tree after it was delivered to the White House, as her daughters Malia Obama (R) and Sasha Obama look on, on November 23, 2012 in Washington, DC. The tree is a 19-foot Fraser Fir from Peak Farms in North Carolina, which is owned by Rusty and Beau Estes. less

First lady Michelle Obama leans down to smell the official White House Christmas Tree after it was delivered to the White House, as her daughters Malia Obama (R) and Sasha Obama look on, on November 23, 2012 in ... more

Photo: Brendan Hoffman, Getty Images

First lady Michelle Obama leans down to smell the official White... Photo-3866455.53651 - Houston Chronicle

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First lady Michelle Obama with daughters Sasha, behind the first lady, and Malia, left, and family dog Bo flashes a thumbs up as they welcome the arrival of the official White House Christmas tree, a 19-foot Fraser Fir from Jefferson, N.C., Friday, Nov. 23, 2012, at the North Portico of the White House in Washington. (Manuel Balce Ceneta / AP Photo) less

First lady Michelle Obama with daughters Sasha, behind the first lady, and Malia, left, and family dog Bo flashes a thumbs up as they welcome the arrival of the official White House Christmas tree, a 19-foot ... more

A Christmas tree decorated in a rainbow of colors sits next to a statue of President Lincoln in the East Garden Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012. The theme for the White House Christmas 2012 is Joy to All. (Susan Walsh / AP Photo) less

A Christmas tree decorated in a rainbow of colors sits next to a statue of President Lincoln in the East Garden Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012. The theme for the White House ... more

Photo: Susan Walsh, Associated Press

A Christmas tree decorated in a rainbow of colors sits next to a... Photo-3866457.53651 - Houston Chronicle

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Volunteer Paulette Marini describes the decorations on the tree in the East Landing of White House in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012, during a preview of the holiday deocrations. The decorations pay tribute to the Armed Forces and their families. The theme for the White House Christmas 2012 is Joy to All. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) (Susan Walsh / AP Photo) less

Volunteer Paulette Marini describes the decorations on the tree in the East Landing of White House in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012, during a preview of the holiday deocrations. The decorations pay ... more

Ornaments on a Christmas tree are seen during a preview of the 2012 White House holiday decorations November 28, 2012 at the White House in Washington, DC. First lady Michelle Obama welcomed military families, including Gold Star and Blue Star parents, spouses and children, to the White House for the first viewing of the 2012 holiday decorations. The theme for the White House Christmas 2012 is Joy to All. less

Ornaments on a Christmas tree are seen during a preview of the 2012 White House holiday decorations November 28, 2012 at the White House in Washington, DC. First lady Michelle Obama welcomed military families, ... more

Photo: Alex Wong, Getty Images

Ornaments on a Christmas tree are seen during a preview of the 2012... Photo-3866459.53651 - Houston Chronicle

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The official White House Christmas tree, an 18-foot-6-inch Frasier fur from Jefferson, N.C., trimmed with ornaments decorated by children of military families, sits in the Blue Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012, during a preview of the White House holiday decorations. The theme for the White House Christmas 2012 is Joy to All. (Susan Walsh / AP Photo) less

The official White House Christmas tree, an 18-foot-6-inch Frasier fur from Jefferson, N.C., trimmed with ornaments decorated by children of military families, sits in the Blue Room of the White House in ... more

Photo: Susan Walsh, Associated Press

The official White House Christmas tree, an 18-foot-6-inch Frasier... Photo-3866460.53651 - Houston Chronicle

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A portrait of former first lady Pat Nixon hangs near a tree in the Vermeil Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012, during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. The theme for the White House Christmas 2012 is Joy to All. (Susan Walsh / AP Photo) less

A portrait of former first lady Pat Nixon hangs near a tree in the Vermeil Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012, during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. The ... more

Photo: Susan Walsh, Associated Press

A portrait of former first lady Pat Nixon hangs near a tree in the... Photo-3866461.53651 - Houston Chronicle

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U.S. first lady Michelle Obama speaks in the East Room during a preview of the 2012 White House holiday decorations November 28, 2012 at the White House in Washington, DC. The first lady welcomed military families, including Gold Star and Blue Star parents, spouses and children, to the White House for the first viewing of the 2012 holiday decorations. less

U.S. first lady Michelle Obama speaks in the East Room during a preview of the 2012 White House holiday decorations November 28, 2012 at the White House in Washington, DC. The first lady welcomed military ... more

Photo: Alex Wong, Getty Images

U.S. first lady Michelle Obama speaks in the East Room during a... Photo-3866462.53651 - Houston Chronicle

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Lauren Ray (L) and Olivia Marlow (2nd L) of Northern Virginia look at ornaments on a Christmas tree during a preview of the 2012 White House holiday decorations November 28, 2012 at the White House in Washington, DC. The first lady welcomed military families, including Gold Star and Blue Star parents, spouses and children, to the White House for the first viewing of the 2012 holiday decorations. less

Lauren Ray (L) and Olivia Marlow (2nd L) of Northern Virginia look at ornaments on a Christmas tree during a preview of the 2012 White House holiday decorations November 28, 2012 at the White House in ... more

Olivia Marlow, 6, looks at a tree honoring presidential first ladies that is on display in the Grand Foyer of the White House in White House in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012, during a preview of the holiday decorations. The theme for the White House Christmas 2012 is Joy to All. (Susan Walsh / AP Photo) less

Olivia Marlow, 6, looks at a tree honoring presidential first ladies that is on display in the Grand Foyer of the White House in White House in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012, during a preview of the ... more

First lady Michelle Obama and family dog Bo are greeted by children during the preview of the White House Christmas decorations, November 28, 2012, in Washington, D.C.

First lady Michelle Obama and family dog Bo are greeted by children during the preview of the White House Christmas decorations, November 28, 2012, in Washington, D.C.

Photo: Olivier Douliery, McClatchy-Tribune News Service

First lady Michelle Obama and family dog Bo are greeted by children... Photo-3866466.53651 - Houston Chronicle

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First lady Michelle Obama tastes a lollipop during a preview of the White House Christmas decorations, November 28, 2012, in Washington, D.C.

First lady Michelle Obama tastes a lollipop during a preview of the White House Christmas decorations, November 28, 2012, in Washington, D.C.

Photo: Olivier Douliery, McClatchy-Tribune News Service

First lady Michelle Obama tastes a lollipop during a preview of the... Photo-3866467.53651 - Houston Chronicle

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White House Pastry Chef Bill Yosses explains his design for the nearly 300-pound gingerbread house of the White House, on display in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012. The house features Bo, the Obama family dog, left, a vegetable garden and views inside the White House. The theme for the White House Christmas 2012 is Joy to All. The White House gingerbread house has been a tradition since the 1960s. (Susan Walsh / AP Photo) less

White House Pastry Chef Bill Yosses explains his design for the nearly 300-pound gingerbread house of the White House, on display in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 28, ... more

A life-sized replica of the Obama family dog, Bo, a Portuguese Water Dog, is the centerpiece of the East Garden Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012. The theme for the White House Christmas 2012 is Joy to All. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) (Susan Walsh / AP Photo) less

A life-sized replica of the Obama family dog, Bo, a Portuguese Water Dog, is the centerpiece of the East Garden Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012. The theme for the White House ... more

Photo: Susan Walsh, Associated Press

A life-sized replica of the Obama family dog, Bo, a Portuguese... Photo-3866469.53651 - Houston Chronicle

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Ornaments on a Christmas tree are seen during a preview of the 2012 White House holiday decorations November 28, 2012 at the White House in Washington, DC. First lady Michelle Obama welcomed military families, including Gold Star and Blue Star parents, spouses and children, to the White House for the first viewing of the 2012 holiday decorations. The theme for the White House Christmas 2012 is Joy to All. less

Ornaments on a Christmas tree are seen during a preview of the 2012 White House holiday decorations November 28, 2012 at the White House in Washington, DC. First lady Michelle Obama welcomed military families, ... more

Photo: Alex Wong, Getty Images

Ornaments on a Christmas tree are seen during a preview of the 2012... Photo-3866470.53651 - Houston Chronicle

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A stained glass window, created by Chicago-based artist David Lee Csicsko, is on display at the East Wing with Christmas wreaths during a preview of the 2012 White House holiday decorations November 28, 2012 at the White House in Washington, DC. First lady Michelle Obama welcomed military families, including Gold Star and Blue Star parents, spouses and children, to the White House for the first viewing of the 2012 holiday decorations. The theme for the White House Christmas 2012 is Joy to All. less

A stained glass window, created by Chicago-based artist David Lee Csicsko, is on display at the East Wing with Christmas wreaths during a preview of the 2012 White House holiday decorations November 28, 2012 at ... more

A wooden cut-out tree, created by Chicago-based artist David Lee Csicsko, is on display at the East Garden during a preview of the 2012 White House holiday decorations November 28, 2012 at the White House in Washington, DC. First lady Michelle Obama welcomed military families, including Gold Star and Blue Star parents, spouses and children, to the White House for the first viewing of the 2012 holiday decorations. The theme for the White House Christmas 2012 is Joy to All. less

A wooden cut-out tree, created by Chicago-based artist David Lee Csicsko, is on display at the East Garden during a preview of the 2012 White House holiday decorations November 28, 2012 at the White House in ... more

The Truman China is set on a table in the China Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012, during a preview of the holiday decorations. This set was first selected by First lady Bess Truman in 1951 and is the first state china service to feature the Presidential Coat of Arms as redesigned by President Harry Truman in 1945. The theme for the White House Christmas 2012 is Joy to All. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) (Susan Walsh / AP Photo) less

The Truman China is set on a table in the China Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012, during a preview of the holiday decorations. This set was first selected by First lady Bess ... more

Photo: Susan Walsh, Associated Press

The Truman China is set on a table in the China Room of the White... Photo-3866473.53651 - Houston Chronicle

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A decoration is on display in the Library of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012, during a preview of the holiday decorations. (Susan Walsh / AP Photo)

A decoration is on display in the Library of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012, during a preview of the holiday decorations. (Susan Walsh / AP Photo)

Photo: Susan Walsh, Associated Press

A decoration is on display in the Library of the White House in... Photo-3866474.53651 - Houston Chronicle